Outdoor workers cope with heat: temps to exceed 90 throughout week
The region is experiencing a heatwave this week, with a heat advisory in effect until Friday night, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
Widespread daily high temperature records and a few monthly records for June are possible from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast today through Saturday, with local maximum heat indices approaching 105 degrees.
“Please take precautions if you’re outside this week, and check on those that are most vulnerable,” the NWS Pittsburgh said in a post on X social media platform.
Some outdoor workers in the Washington area were heeding that advice.
“It’s definitely hot out here,” said Summer Stoken, a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service who walks as much as 10 miles a day on her route in the city of Washington.
On Monday, she froze bottled water to drink throughout the day.
“I brought a neck fan and extra water, and a spray bottle just in case. I’ll take a slower pace if I have to. You dread it a little bit, but you’ve gotta get through it,” said Stoken, who noted her postal vehicle has air conditioning.
Dr. Thomas J. Pirosko, Chief of Emergency Medicine Services at UPMC Washington’s Emergency Department, said the hot temperatures can become dangerous for people who spend large amounts of time outdoors.
“We see people coming into the emergency department when it gets excessively hot, especially people working outside like landscapers and construction workers,” said Pirosko. “But people who are outside because it’s sunny and nice and want to go to the pool have to be more cognizant of the heat, regardless of why they’re outside.”
In North Strabane Township, public works department employees Mike Green, Roy Munce and Adam Wabneg spent the day cutting back tree branches along Walker Road as the mercury climbed past 90 degrees after lunch.
“I’ll be all right with it. It’s a little dusty, a little sticky, but it’s what we’ve got to do, right? It’s part of the deal,” said Green.
North Strabane Public Works Director Tom Lovell said he’s encouraging workers to stay hydrated.
“We’re kicking it back a notch. It’s hot out there. We’re not expecting them to be out there killing themselves in this heat,” said Lovell. “I’ve been doubling down on making ice, having them pack it in coolers, and doing everything we can to keep them in the shade and out of the heat.”
Pirosko said staying hydrated is important.
“Obviously, the No 1 thing is limiting the amount of time you’re out in the heat, but not everyone can, so staying hydrated is important to avoid heat exhaustion,” he said.
Dr. John A. Holets, a physician with Penn Highlands Family Medicine in Monongahela, said the types of fluids people drink matters, too.
“Sugary drinks can actually cause your body to lose fluids, and very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps,” he said,
Heavy sweating depletes minerals and salt from the body, and low-sugar sports drinks can replace those nutrients.
At the intersection of state Route 19 and Fulton Road in North Strabane Township, Hunter Davis, of CW Wright, a utility contractor, was dressed in jeans, a long-sleeve yellow reflective shirt, and work boots while he worked as a flagger.
“It’s hot,” said Davis. “I try to drink a lot of water. We’re mandated to drink 32 ounces of water each hour, and we try to take as many breaks as we can in this heat. Those guys up in the bucket have to wear rubber gloves and (protective) sleeves, and that gets hot, too.”
By 2 p.m. Monday, the heat index had reached 98 degrees in Washington, while it climbed to 96 degrees in Waynesburg and 93 in Connellsville.
A heat index is the combination of the ambient temperature outdoors and the humidity level to project how a combination will feel on the human body.
The NWS said the prolonged period of hot weather will result in warm overnight low temperatures and hot afternoon temperatures with high humidity.
Pirosko said heat-related illnesses from high temperatures and humidity or prolonged exposure include heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“Heat stroke is a true medical emergency, and it’s life-threatening, with symptoms including confusion, change of mental status, a core body temperature above 104, seizure, profuse sweating,” said Pirosko. “It’s important that you need to seek medical attention.”
Signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and general weakness.
Emily Swecker, Safety Press Officer for the state Department of Transportation Engineering District 12, said the department is trying to schedule work during the cooler parts of the day and use a rotation system that lets employees work in a shaded area.
PennDOT encourages workers to stay hydrated and pack lunches and snacks that include items with high water content, such as fruits and vegetables.
“We’re also encouraging employees to look out for one another. If they notice a fellow employee isn’t drinking enough water or taking their breaks, they’re encouraged to remind them to do so,” Swecker said in an email.